In Finland, within the University of Applied Sciences (UAS) sector, internationalization has been seen as supporting quality, impact, and relevance to working life, particularly through strategic partnerships and RDI projects (Launikari, 2023). The Ministry of Education and Culture (OKM) has issued a guidance and policy document aiming to strengthen the international dimension of Finnish higher education and research between 2017–2025. The document highlighted five main themes: 1) attractiveness and quality in international competition, 2) building international partnerships, 3) the role of education export and fee-based programs, 4) allocation of resources and staff expertise, and 5) monitoring and evaluation (OKM, 2017).
In my professional career, I have travelled to many countries and continents, but I had never before visited India or Asia. The opportunity came with the Annual General Assembly of the International Association of Maritime Universities (IAMU) in Chennai, India, in October 2025. This trip realized all five of OKM’s (2017) internationalization goals.
Internationalization as a strategic goal in higher education
Arrangements for the trip took months and involved a wide range of practical as well as scientific preparations. Finally, in mid-October, the journey began. For safety and networking reasons, I travelled to Chennai together with experts from the Estonian Maritime Academy of Tallinn University of Technology (EMERA). Staff from the host university, the Academy of Maritime Education and Training (AMET), welcomed us at the airport and took us to the conference hotel. The journey took altogether 20 hours, and we were greeted by the hot and humid Indian night. The conference venue was a five-star resort on the shores of the Bay of Bengal. Adjusting to the 2.5-hour time difference and the climate took some time.
The best part of the assembly and conference was the numerous encounters with colleagues from around the world. I was able to negotiate formally on continuing cooperation as well as create new contacts. The icebreaker deal signed the previous week between the USA and Finland was a recurring topic of conversation. The hotel area was vast, so meeting acquaintances outside the official program happened only occasionally. SAMK hosted a similar IAMU event in Helsinki and onboard Silja Serenade in 2023, and I heard many positive memories of that event from two years ago.
Scientific collaboration and sustainable maritime development
Key themes of the conference included technology, innovation, and sustainable maritime logistics. My scientific presentation showcased the activities and results of two ongoing projects: Sustainable Flow and NEMO CEF. The Sustainable Flow project has developed digital solutions for ports and logistics chains to reduce emissions. The piloted tools improve the predictability and efficiency of port calls, leading to reduced fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions. In addition, a framework for energy saving and renewable energy utilization has been created, supporting the green transition in the Baltic Sea region.
The NEMO CEF project develops Finland’s national maritime reporting service as part of the EU Maritime Single Window environment. The project brings together stakeholders and enables the future development of valuable value-added services. The main results of NEMO CEF will be published later in a scientific article, strengthening Finland’s role in international digital maritime development.
In the complex stakeholder ecosystem of maritime logistics, the successful implementation of a digital system does not happen automatically; it requires several key factors. First, active involvement of the main actors is needed to ensure that solutions meet practical needs. Second, commitment from context setters, such as authorities and leading organizations, provides a stable foundation for development. Listening to target groups and considering their perspectives is essential to ensure that the system is genuinely user-oriented and supports everyday work. Finally, open and transparent communication within the ecosystem builds trust and strengthens collective commitment to shared goals. Both projects demonstrate how research and practical development can jointly promote sustainability and competitiveness in maritime transport.
Cultural Insights and Strengthening Global Networks
The highlight of the official program was a technical tour at AMET’s innovation center, established by the global shipping company MAERSK. On my own initiative, I also visited the UNESCO World Heritage site Mahabalipuram on two mornings. The site, with its stunning ancient stone art and architecture, was quite a contrast to Old Rauma back home.
Business trips to “the ends of the world” are not only about professional matters but also about experiences and learning from different cultures and people. The food was excellent, and contrary to warnings, I remained healthy. Fresh exotic fruits gave my mornings a colorful start. The people were friendly, and thanks to the colonial history, everyone spoke English.
Work trips are often shared as beautiful pictures of different places. They are indeed great experiences, but also very demanding in terms of time and energy. The trip does not end when you walk through your front door at home; afterwards, it is essential to actively follow up with all new contacts. Yet, these trips give back so much – for professional development, personal growth, and organizational benefits. For the organization, global cooperation strengthens existing relationships and creates new opportunities for education and research collaboration. SAMK has been a member of IAMU for over 30 years, and this cooperation continues to deepen year by year.
Text: Minna M. Keinänen-Toivola
The author works as a Chief Researcher at the Maritime Logistics Research Center, Satakunta University of Applied Sciences (SAMK).
Photos: Minna M. Keinänen-Toivola
References
Launikari, M. (2023, 6. maaliskuu). Laurea-ammattikorkeakoulu ja kansainväliset strategiset kumppanuudet. Laurea Journal. https://journal.laurea.fi/laurea-ammattikorkeakoulu-ja-kansainvaliset-strategiset-kumppanuudet/
Opetus- ja kulttuuriministeriö. (2017). Yhteistyössä maailman parasta: Korkeakoulutuksen ja tutkimuksen kansainvälisyyden edistämisen linjaukset 2017–2025 (OKM:n julkaisuja 2017:11). https://julkaisut.valtioneuvosto.fi/bitstream/handle/10024/79438/okm11.pdf
Translation was made from Finnish to English using ChatGPT 5